A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gambino family of France.
Reg. 8616 · French, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion d'or, tenant une épée d'arg., garnie d'or; au 2 d'or à une tour de sa., senestrée d'un avant-mur du même; au 3 d'or à deux drapeaux d'azur, ensanglantés de gu., passés en saut.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Gambino arms are recorded
The Gambino arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Gambino arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Gambino Family in France
The Gambino family name carries a history that stretches across European borders, with early roots often traced to the Italian peninsula before branches migrated into other regions. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the Brittany region of France. During this period, the name was likely associated with families involved in regional trade or local agriculture, as was common for surnames of that era. The movement of the family into Brittany suggests they were part of the broader patterns of migration that saw individuals seeking new opportunities in coastal provinces. Over time, the family adapted to the local culture while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their name. This transition from their ancestral origins to the distinct landscape of Brittany highlights the family’s ability to integrate into new communities while preserving their heritage through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gamba
A Latin term referring to the leg or hock of an animal.
This name
GambinoA nickname for someone with a distinctive gait or a physical leg characteristic.
also spelled
Gambyn
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
